According to VNA President/CEO Katherine Krause,
“Sometimes a small wish can make a huge difference. Sometimes it doesn’t take much to change a life.
“Every day, there are thousands of seniors going hungry in Dallas County. Every weekday, VNA Meals on Wheels provides fresh, nutritious meals to 4,000 seniors or disabled, but there are another 2,800 seniors waiting on the list to begin service. The VNA Haggerty Kitchen has the capacity to feed all of them, but a lack of resources prevents us from doing it.
“My first wish this holiday season is for $1,500. That’s what it costs to feed one hungry, homebound senior for an entire year. Helping seniors stay in their homes not only lets them continue living with dignity and independence, it is far less expensive than alternatives such as nursing homes. For example, one day in a nursing home costs – on average – $151 and one day in a hospital costs $2,126 or more. A recent study showed that every $1 invested in a program like VNA Meals on Wheels resulted in a Medicaid savings of up to $50.
“As vital as meals are, life is filled with other necessities we sometimes take for granted, simple things like toothpaste and shampoo. That’s why my second wish this season is for $1,600 to make the holidays bright for 200 homebound seniors. That money will cover the cost of 200 holiday gift bags filled with full-size toiletry items including shampoo, lotion, soap, washcloth, toothbrush, toothpaste and tube socks. These items will be festively gift-wrapped by our volunteers and distributed to our clients on Christmas Day morning along with their hot holiday meal.
“So there it is. My wishes this season are to feed one homebound senior and provide basic toiletries for 200 more. It’s tempting to ask for the moon, to wish for the funding to provide for every one of the 2,800 qualified seniors waiting to begin service. That would be a dream come true, and it’s something we strive for every day at VNA Meals on Wheels. But for now, we’ll start with a small wish and know it will make a huge difference.
“I hope Dallas County can make my wish come true. It’s a small price to change a life.”
-Katherine Krause, VNA President/CEO
* Photo provided by VNA